Former Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora has told media there’s a chance of a reunion gig at Glastonbury 2023.
Richie left the band in 2014 to spend more time with his family, though he’s said to remain on good terms with other members Jon Bon Jovi and David Bryan – and joined them on stage when Bon Jovi were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.
At the MTIS Award in London, Richie Sambora was asked by the Metro about the band reforming for a slot on the Glastonbury line-up next summer. He replied: “It’s a possibility. We’re talking a bit,” – reportedly with a “cheeky smile on his face”.
While Bon Jovi have never played at Glastonbury before, they have a long history of touring the UK. It’s particularly interesting to note the increase in festival goers over 50, a demographic that typically shares a strong connection with Bon Jovi’s music. Most recently in 2019, they played shows at Anfield and Wembley, albeit without Richie Sambora. Prior to his departure, they played BST Hyde Park and Isle of Wight Festival in summer 2013.
Back in 2014, Richie appeared on the Pyramid Stage as a surprise guest during Dolly Parton’s Glasto set. He said: “It was the first time I played Glastonbury but just playing with her was just tremendous. She’s a friend through other friends and she covered one of my songs. She’s a sweetheart and she’s that good. Consummate professional and she’s still here, what a legacy. Amazing.”
With Bon Jovi’s UK gigs in summer 2019 both taking place in June, fans were hopeful they’d stick around for a Glastonbury slot – but it never game to fruition. They’re one of Worthy Farm’s most requested bands who’ve still not appeared at the festival.
In other news, Britpop legends Blur are now widely rumoured for a slot on the Glastonbury 2023 line-up after announcing a show at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 8th July 2023, then announcing a French festival appearance two days before – both less than two weeks after the festival.
And in a similar scenario, The 1975 are now strongly rumoured to appear at Glastonbury next summer after the long-expected band confirmed tour dates which leave them free over the weekend of the festival.
Their currently announced dates contain nothing between Southside Festival the weekend before Glasto and TRSNSMT on July 9th. Glastonbury is set to take place from Wednesday 21st to Sunday 25 June.
It would be The 1975’s fourth time at Worthy Farm, having previously played sets in 2013, 2014 and 2016, and while they’ve been rumoured most years since they now haven’t been on the line-up for five years, despite countless comments from band members and crew that they want to return.
Pulp are also strongly rumoured to appear on the Glastonbury 2023 line-up after announcing details of a reunion tour next summer – which includes space for a potential Glasto slot. The band were already deemed a likely contender by bookmakers, who in September were offering odds of 9/1 on Pulp headlining the iconic Pyramid Stage.
Meanwhile, Victoria Beckham has ruled out a Worthy Farm appearance as part of a Spice Girls reunion in a US TV interview – following years of speculation fuelled by her former band mates.
She told Watch What Happens Live: “I had so much fun being in the Spice Girls – but now, with everything else that I have got going on with my fashion and my beauty line, four children, I couldn’t commit to that. love the girls. I really, really enjoy singing Spice Girls when I’m doing karaoke, but I think I’d better leave it there.”
Guns N Roses are also rumoured, with bookmakers ranking the band as one of the favourites to headline the iconic Pyramid Stage next summer.
In an interview with Metal Hammer last year, Glastonbury organiser Emily Eavis was asked : “Who’s the heaviest band you would book for the Festival?”
She replied: “We had Napalm Death in 2017, and it doesn’t get much heavier than that! But I think Guns N’ Roses need to play here at some point don’t they?”
The American rapper has never played at the festival before, but a ‘festival insider’ claimed the organisers think the deal for June 2023 will be successful.
They told The Sun: “Eminem is wanted for a huge slot at Glastonbury and has been in talks for yonks. His dates all line-up and if they can get him on board, it will be the first time he has ever played at the festival. Eminem is one of the greatest rappers on the planet and to have him down on the farm would be incredible.”
While reports suggest he would be headlining the Pyramid Stage, and this would certainly be the most fitting slot if Eminem did appear at Glastonbury, organiser Emily Eavis said previously that all headliners for 2023 had already been booked. For The Sun’s sources to be correct, he would have to be played a “huge slot” elsewhere at the festival – unless of course, a previously booked headliner has dropped out.
Despite the Sun’s insider claiming Eminem’s tour dates line up with a potential Glastonbury appearance, the rapper has not currently announced any upcoming gigs, suggesting the source either has access to unreleased information or is mistaken.
Arctic Monkeys were also rumoured to have signed a deal to headline Glastonbury 2023 when their UK tour sold out in minutes earlier this month. A source told The Sun: “‘Alex Turner and the band are coming back to Glastonbury, and this time their set is going to be even bigger and better.
“The lads have signed on the dotted line and will return to the Pyramid Stage next June. It is really special for them to be doing a hat-trick on that stage and it is something they have wanted to do for a while.”
Glastonbury 2023 takes place from Wednesday 21st to Sunday 25th June 2023. Tickets sold out earlier this month, but resales of cancelled tickets will take place in the spring.
Image credits:
David Shankbone / CC BY-SA 3.0
Jason Bryant
Anna Barclay
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